Ahmedabad Court Rejects Bail Plea in ₹5.02 Crore Identity Fraud Case
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
An Ahmedabad Sessions Court has rejected the bail plea of Sudhir Shyamlal Mali, accused of helping siphon ₹5.02 crore by impersonating a complainant on WhatsApp.
Accused Allegedly Posed as Company Owner
Additional Sessions Judge J.I. Patel rejected Mali’s application after hearing arguments from both sides.
According to the prosecution, on July 17, 2026, an unknown WhatsApp user contacted company manager Shaliniben Kikani using a false identity and the complainant’s photograph as the display picture without her knowledge.
The accused allegedly posed as the company owner and instructed the manager to transfer funds into different bank accounts. The transactions allegedly resulted in the misappropriation of ₹5.02 crore.
Accused Allegedly Received Commission
The prosecution told the court that Mali was an account holder who allegedly benefited from the transactions by receiving a commission.
Police have also seized six other kits from him as part of the investigation.
Chief Public Prosecutor Sudhir Brahmbhatt opposed the bail plea, arguing that the accused had assumed the complainant’s identity and used her photograph without consent to facilitate the fraud.
Court Cites Risk of Evidence Tampering
The court observed that the accused allegedly acted in collusion with others and that the investigation remains at a critical stage.
It also noted the possibility that, if released on bail, Mali could assist other absconding suspects or interfere with evidence.
Bail Rejected in Interest of Justice
After considering submissions from both sides, the court held that it would not be appropriate to exercise discretionary powers in favour of the accused at the bail stage without examining the case in greater depth.
The court therefore rejected Sudhir Shyamlal Mali’s bail application.
